Nectarine tree named ‘Honey Spring’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Vigorous, upright tree growth.   2. Regular and heavy production of large size fruit.   3. Fruit with firm, yellow flesh, good handling and shipping qualities.   4. Fruit with very good flavor.   5. Fruit with attractive red skin color.

Botanical designation: Prunus persica var. nucipersica.

Variety denomination: ‘HONEY SPRING’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuing plant-breeding program including the organization and asexual reproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines, apricot, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It was against this background of our activities that the present variety of nectarine tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of nectarine trees, which are known to us, and mentioned herein, ‘Honey May’ Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,363) and our proprietary nectarine selections ‘387LU177’ ‘58ZA720’ and ‘396LN445’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree (Prunus persica var. nucipersica) was originated by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. as an open pollinated seedling from our proprietary nectarine seedling with the field identification number ‘387LU177’. The seed parent (387LU177) originated as a first generation seedling from a cross between our proprietary seedlings with the field identification numbers ‘58ZA720’ and ‘396LN445’. A large group of these open pollinated seedlings were planted and maintained on their own root system, during which time we recognized the desirable tree and fruit characteristics and selected it in 2007 for asexual reproduction and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of nectarine tree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), as performed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present new variety of nectarine tree is of large size, vigorous, upright growth and a productive bearer of large size, yellow flesh, clingstone fruit. The fruit is further characterized by having firm flesh, very good flavor and eating quality, with an attractive red skin color. In comparison to its seed parent (387LU177) the fruit of the new variety is firmer, larger in size and is approximately 15 days later in maturity. In comparison to the commercial nectarine ‘Honey May’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,363) the fruit of the new variety is larger in size and is approximately 30 days later in maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the present new nectarine variety. The illustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, an exterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shipping ripe) from a 6 year old tree and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety of nectarine tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of 6 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color in accordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Large, pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and width             for economical harvesting of fruit. Varies with different             cultural practices.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of approximately 1.5 meters in             height the first growing season. Varies with soil type,             fertility and cultural practices.         -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.         -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 35°,             increases with heavy crop load.         -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing of fruit             necessary for desirable market size. Number of fruit set             varies with climatic conditions during blooming period.         -   Bearer.—Regular, adequate fruit set 5 consecutive years. No             alternate bearing observed.         -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.         -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to             increase air movement and sunlight to the center of the tree             to enhance health of tree and improved fruit color.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of             California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter             chilling requirement approximately 250 hours at or below 45°             F. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 33.0 cm at 25.4 cm above             ground on a 6 year old tree.         -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.         -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, becomes rougher with age.         -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 5/2 to 5Y 4/2. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 10.2 cm at 1.2 meters             above ground. Crotch angle approximately 35°, increases with             heavy crop load.         -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth             medium rough, roughness increases with age.         -   Lenticels.—Average number 20 in a 25.8 sq cm area. Average             length 3.3 mm. Average width 1.8 mm. Color varies from 7.5YR             5/6 to 10YR 7/8.         -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 5/8 to 10R 3/6 where             exposed to sun. Mature growth varies from 7.5YR 2/4 to 10YR             7/8, varies with age of growth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 119.7 mm. Average             width 38.8 mm.         -   Form.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Serrate.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight             indentations over midrib and leaf veins. Lower surface             relatively smooth, small ridges created by midrib and             pinnate venation. Both surfaces glabrous.         -   Petiole.—Average length 8.8 mm. Average width 1.4 mm.             Longitudinally grooved. Surface glabrous. Color varies from             2.5GY 5/8 to 5GY 5/6.         -   Glands.—Reniform. Size — small to medium. Average length             1.1 mm. Average diameter 0.6 mm. Average number 3, varies             from 1 to 4. Located primarily on the base of the leaf blade             and on the upper portion of the petiole. Color varies from             10Y 6/8 to 2.5GY 7/8.         -   Stipules.—Present, average number 2. Average length 5.8 mm.             Margin — pectinate. Color 2.5GY 6/8.         -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 7.5GY 3/4 to 5GY 3/6. Lower             surface varies from 5GY 4/4 to 7.5GY 4/4. Midvein color             varies from 2.5GY 7/8 to 5GY 7/6. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 18.9 mm. Average             diameter 11.7 mm.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.         -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated before opening.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 4.8 mm. Average width 0.8 mm. Color             varies from 5GY 7/6 to 5GY 6/6.         -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 7/8 to 5RP 7/10. -   Flowers:     -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 14, 2013. Date of             Petal Fall Feb. 24, 2013, varies slightly with climatic             conditions.         -   Size.—Medium to large, showy. Average height 18.4 mm.             Average diameter 34.0 mm.         -   Petals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Average             length 17.2 mm. Average width 15.2 mm. Form — orbicular,             narrows at point of attachment. Margin — sinuate. Color             varies from 5RP 8/6 to 5RP 7/6. Both surfaces glabrous.             Arrangement — free.         -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to petals. Average             length 5.3 mm. Average width 5.3 mm. Shape — ovate. Margin —             entire. Surface — upper surface glabrous, lower surface             pubescent. Color — upper surface varies from 5GY 5/6 to 5R             3/8. Lower surface varies from 2.5R 3/2 to 2.5R 2/4.         -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 34. Average filament             length 14.2 mm. Filament color varies from N 9.5/(white) to             7.5R 8/4. Anther color varies from 5Y 8/10 to 5R 4/10.         -   Pollen.—Self-fertile. Color varies from 2.5Y 7/12 to 2.5Y             6/10.         -   Pistil.—Normally 1. Surface — glabrous. Average length             18.5 mm. Position of stigma an average of 1.8 mm above             anthers. Color varies from 10Y 8/4 to 10Y 8/6.         -   Fragrance.—Slight.         -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 8/6 to 7.5RP 7/6.         -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Normally 1.         -   Pedicel.—Average length 6.0 mm. Average width 1.2 mm. Color             varies from 10Y 7/6 to 2.5GY 6/6. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.         -   Date of first picking.—Jun. 1, 2013.         -   Date of last picking.—Jun. 8, 2013, varies slightly with             climatic conditions.         -   Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 61.5 mm. Average             transversely in suture plane 69.8 mm. Average weight 181.8             grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of             thinning and climatic conditions.         -   Form.—Globose.         -   Suture.—Nearly smooth, extends from base to apex.         -   Ventral surface.—Smooth to very slightly lipped.         -   Apex.—Slightly retuse.         -   Base.—Retuse.         -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.             Average depth 9.9 mm. Average diameter 12.0 mm. -   Stem:     -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 11.7 mm. Average diameter 2.7             mm.         -   Color.—Varies from 5YR 3/6 to 5GY 5/8. -   Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface.—Smooth to very slightly waffled.         -   Pubescence.—Wanting.         -   Tendency to split.—None.         -   Color.—Ground color varies from 10YR 8/8 to 10YR 8/6,             overspread with 7.5R 3/10 to 7.5R 3/14.         -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.         -   Astringency.—None. -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.         -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.         -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.         -   Firmness.—Firm, comparable to most commercial varieties.         -   Aroma.—Moderate.         -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.         -   Eating quality.—Very good.         -   Flavor.—Very good, mild, sweet and low acid.         -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.         -   Brix.—Average Brix 15.0°, varies slightly with amount of             fruit per tree and climatic conditions.         -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 7/8 to 2.5Y 7/10.         -   Pit cavity.—Average length 32.6 mm. Average width 29.3 mm.             Average depth 12.2 mm. Color varies from 5Y 7/8 to 5Y 7/10. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone.         -   Size.—Large. Average length 31.6 mm. Average width 28.3 mm.             Average thickness 22.4 mm.         -   Form.—Obovoid.         -   Base.—Flat.         -   Apex.—Rounded.         -   Surface.—Pitted throughout, pits vary from round to             elongated.         -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further from suture             plane.         -   Ridges.—Extend from base to apex.         -   Tendency to split.—None.         -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 5/8 to 7.5YR 6/8 when dry. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 17.3 mm. Average width 13.2 mm.             Average depth 9.0 mm.         -   Form.—Ovate.         -   Viability.—Partially viable, some embryos not completely             developed.         -   Skin color.—Varies from 5Y 8/6 to 5Y 8/8. -   Use: Dessert. Market — local and long distance. -   Keeping quality: Good, held firm 3 weeks at 38° to 42° F. without     internal breakdown or appreciable loss of flavor. -   Shipping quality: Good, minimal skin scarring or bruising of flesh     during picking and packing trials. -   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing     for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been     designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and     harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions     near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance     or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection     observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal     fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and     eliminated from our breeding program.

The present new variety of nectarine tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soil conditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown. The present description is that of the variety grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantially as illustrated and described. 